3/18/15 1:00 Update: Rays manager Kevin Cash told the media the team plans to rest Alex Cobb for 4-7 days, then be re-evaluated. He also noted the Rays haven’t talked yet about adjusting Chris Archer’s schedule to take over as the Opening Day starter. Additionally, Matt Silverman said the team will look more toward filling the rotation internally, however, they may also look outside as well. On the whole, the team is taking an approach of getting through the first few weeks, then getting the injured guys back during the month of April. Marc Topkin opined (via Twitter) that Cobb will probably start the season on the 15-Day DL,
“@jimvonhorn: @TBTimes_Rays @jonmorosi any indication 15 day DL to start season ?” >>> obviously
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 18, 2015
MT w/pic @TBTimes_Rays: #Rays Silverman said Cobb will be shut down for a week + re- evaluated. pic.twitter.com/rEvoaZT0p4
— Will Vragovic (@willvrag) March 18, 2015
Cobb said had he known he was dealing with tendinitis, not regular soreness, he never would have pitched Tuesday afternoon. “Could’ve been ligament,” said Cobb who was also s thankful there was nothing worse than tendinitis, “this is not (the) worse case scenario.” Alex doesn’t have a specific timetable to resume throwing following the shutdown, though he expects to be back with the team in April:
Though no timetable, #Rays Cobb said won’t drag into May: “I would like to believe that I’d be back for April, no doubt.”
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 18, 2015
3/18/15 9:41 AM Update: The Rays have confirmed that Alex Cobb has tendinitis and is no longer expected to make opening day start. The team will have an official update around 12:30 PM today. As of now — and barring any other injuries — the Rays season opening rotation looks like this:
- Chris Archer
- Jake Odorizzi
- Nathan Karns
- Matt Andriese or Burch Smith
- Enny Romero or Everett Teaford
An assumption on my part, but Nathan Karns would probably bump down to the fourth spot when Drew Smyly returns around April 10. There isn’t any indication yet of when Cobb will return, or how long he will be shelved.
10:45 PM Update: The tightness in Alex Cobb’s right forearm been diagnosed as tendinitis. The diagnosis “is relatively good news,” Marc Topkin contends, “but seems likely to keep him from making his opening day start.”
The diagnosis was confirmed by an MRI exam that Cobb had after leaving Tuesday afternoon’s game. The Rays expected to provide an update on his status Wednesday morning, with the possibility that he could miss the first few weeks of the season. In this scenario, Chris Archer would likely replace Cobb as the Opening Day starter.
According to Topkin, pitching coach Jim Hickey was aware of Cobb’s status before the game but shared his view that it was okay to pitch
There was no real concern prior to the game. I don’t think he was being selfish, I don’t think he did anything he should not have done.
Hickey also said Cobb did the right thing by removing himself from the game,
At this point, any starter coming out of the game with forearm tightness is not good, so this is certainly not good. But I really thought it was more precautionary than anything else on his part, which is also good because he can be stubborn and want to just go through it.
Alex Cobb was removed from Tuesday afternoon’s game against the Phillies as a precaution, due to right forearm tightness. Cobb, who isn’t overly concerned, told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) he felt the tightness the last few days yet decided to pitch Anyway. He felt that three innings of work was enough. According to the Rays ace, there wasnt a particular pitch or moment of trauma,
If it was something I was really concerned of, I probably wouldn’t have thrown today at all. This was something I knew about. Throwing this much early in the spring, your forearm, triceps start tightening up, biceps too. It’s one of those three probably.
Cobb experienced similar tightness last season, saying that it’s common for pitchers to feel tightness in certain parts of their arm. As for Tuesday’s bout, Cobb told Topkin it was a “dull feeling,” similar to a cramp, that started “getting a little bit tight on me” after his last bullpen session, following his previous start.
In a telling moment from his presser with the media, Cobb mentioned that he pulled himself from the game to avoid incurring any long-term health concerns over one inning of work:
It was not excruciating pain, it was just there. And I was like, this is kind of pointless to go through and risk longer term health over an inning. I knew I was going to have to answer these questions, but I felt like it was worth the risk.
Cobb confirmed that he’ll consult with head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield to see if the team wants him to get an MRI, though he “would assume” he will be making his next start. Cobb, however, also acknowledged that he has “no idea” until he sees how it feels tomorrow,
I can’t tell you, I don’t know. If I was a betting man I would say I’ll be good tomorrow or for my next start, but don’t want to jinx it.
Rays manager Kevin Cash also spoke on the situation, saying he was encouraged that Cobb was not overly concerned and also expects the team will know more about his status on Wednesday.
Right now we appreciate him being cautious and we’ll be cautious with it too.
Video from the aforementioned presser is below (courtesy of the Tampa Bay Times):
It should be noted, both Drew Smyly and Alex Colome are expected to miss an undetermined amount time due tendinitis and pneumonia (respectively). Any setback for the Rays ace would be undesirable to say the least. The team is already trying to fill one, maybe two, spot(s) in the rotation to start the season.